Verghese V Joseph –
The recent attack on St. Mother Teresa English Medium School in Kannepally, Mancherial district of Telangana has sparked outrage and condemnation from various quarters. The incident, which occurred on April 16th, 2024, involved a mob vandalising the school premises and assaulting the principal, Father Jaimon Joseph, over a dispute regarding students wearing saffron religious attire without prior approval.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) in a statement, has strongly condemned this violent attack on the educational institution, emphasising the need to uphold harmony and coexistence in society. The CBCI has called for swift action against the perpetrators and urged all communities to resist misinformation and divisive rhetoric, emphasising the importance of unity in diversity and mutual respect.
“We urge all communities to resist the propagation of misinformation and divisive rhetoric. We are all integral parts of this great nation, and our unity in diversity is a cornerstone of our identity. We implore our fellow citizens, irrespective of faith, to stand together against any attempts to exploit our diversity for narrow, selfish agendas. Let us reaffirm our commitment to peace, mutual respect, and the collective prosperity of our beloved country,” the statement said.
The CBCI said such acts of violence and intimidation, threaten the safety and security of educational institutions and its staff but also undermine the principles of harmony and coexistence in society. The Christian community in India, known for its commitment to peace and nation-building, stands resolutely against such disruptive behaviour.
The incident unfolded after the principal questioned students for not wearing the prescribed school uniform, leading to a confrontation that escalated into violence. The mob, dressed in saffron, forcibly entered the school, damaged property, and physically assaulted school staff, including Father Jaimon Joseph. The police have taken action against the school management and the vandals, charging them under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
This attack is indicative of the escalating religious tensions in the region, as evidenced by previous incidents targeting Christian properties and provocative speeches by political figures. It underscores the urgent need for promoting communal harmony, tolerance, and respect for all religions to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
The assault on St. Mother Teresa English Medium School highlights the importance of addressing religious tensions, promoting unity in diversity, and ensuring the safety of educational institutions. The CBCI’s condemnation of the attack underscores the collective call for peace, respect, and justice in the face of such acts of violence.
The school administration, in their complaint, named four suspects and others for trespassing onto the school premises, attempting to wrongfully restrain the school correspondent, physically assaulting him, and damaging windows of the classrooms. They reported damages to a statue of Mother Teresa and gates, amounting to a loss of Rs 30,000.
The police have charged the school management under sections 153a and 295-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for promoting enmity and insulting religious feelings. The vandals have been booked under sections 323, 427, 452, 506, and 143 read with 149 of the IPC. Nine people have been arrested for their involvement in the attack.
The school authorities have disputed the allegations that Hindu students were prohibited from wearing religious attire. They have since filed a complaint with the local police. Despite this, the police have taken action against the school management and have registered a case against them for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
The incident is a matter of concern for the authorities and civil society. It is imperative that the authorities take strict action against the perpetrators and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. The incident is also a reminder of the need to promote communal harmony and respect for all religions. The authorities must take steps to address the underlying causes of religious tensions and promote a culture of tolerance and respect for all communities.
The incident is a reflection of the growing religious tensions in the region. Earlier on February 21st, a cemetery named St. John’s Cemetery in Secunderabad was desecrated, and graves belonging to the Christian community were vandalised.
When there r videoclippings if d incident freely doing the rounds in public, how come the courts of law r not taking cognizance of the happening & taking action???